Induction of Resistance to Macrosiphum rosae by Foliar Applicatrion of Salicylic Acid and Potassium Sulfate in Rose Plant

The rose aphid, Macrosiphum rosae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most important pests on Rosa species, which cause serious damage to plants. Salicylic acid (SA) and Potassium sulfate (PS) have the potential to affect the population of pests on plants. In this study, different concentrations of SA (0.7 and 1.4 mM), PS (11 and 28 mM) and SA (1.4 mM) + PS (28 mM) were used as foliar applications on rose plants to evaluate the life table parameters of M. rosae. The chemical constituents of rose leaves were also assessed using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Results showed that the life table parameters of M. rosae were significantly affected by various treatments. The longevity of the aphid was longest on control and shortest on SA (1.4 mM). M. rosae had the least fecundity on SA (1.4 mM) treatment. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of M. rosae ranged from 0.202 to 0.298 day-1 on different treatments, which was lowest on SA (1.4 mM) and highest on control. GC/MS analysis showed that Squalene, 2-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-ylsulfanyl)-1-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl) ethanone, and 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, as secondary metabolite, were the major compounds in SA (1.4 mM) treatment. The results of this study demonstrated that application of SA (1.4 mM) on rose plants has a good potential for reducing the population of M. rosae and can be used in integrated pest management programs.